The Jazz Voyager

Flying to the Midwest once more to the Gateway To The West for a little bit of jazz at a spot known to many as Jazz St. Louis. Gaining international fame this small intimate atmospheric venue hosts some of the finest musicians and vocalsits since its humble beginnings in 1995.

A new experience for this jazz voyager is always welcomed and the Grammy-nominated saxophonist and composer Melissa Aldana is just that. She’ll be bringing her visionary sound to the club, including music from her latest Blue Note Records release, Echoes Of The Inner Prophet. I’m told I will be hearing a blending of deep introspection with dynamic collaboration, exploring themes of personal growth, storytelling, and sonic innovation. Influenced by jazz legends like Wayne Shorter and Sonny Rollins, I am looking forward to this evening as she honors the rich tradition of modern jazz. 

Located at 3536 Washington Avenue, St. Louis, Misssouri 63103. For more information contact the venue at jazzstl.org.

The Band: Melissa Aldana – saxophone | Sam Yahel – piano | Joe Martin – bass | JK Kim – drums

Tickets: $40.00 ~ $50.00

Show times: 7:30pm & 9:30pm | 3.27 @ 11:00am



CALIFORNIA JAZZ FOUNDATION

 

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The Jazz Voyager

Heading back up to the Big Apple, this time motoring up the highway on 95 North. I’ll get in early and will be catching the sights and sounds of the city until it’s time to make my way to Columbus Circle. There it will be my fortune to be in the house that Wynton Marsalis helped build, as an audience member in Dizzy’s Club. Overlooking the New York skyline, the lights of the night will only enhance the performance.

This week this jazz voyager will be taking a very talented organist, pianist and composer, Akiko Tsuruga. Landing in New York City from Osaka, Japan she quickly immersed herself into the jazz scene. Sitting in and playing gigs, she eventually recorded with Frank Wess, Jimmy Cobb, Grady Tate and other top NY musicians. In 2006 she joined Lou Donaldson’s quartet.

Performance Lineup:

Akiko Tsuruga, organ Joe Magnarelli, trumpet Myron Walden, tenor & baritone, saxophone, flute Byron Landham, drums Charlie Sigler, guitar

Tickets: $20.00 ~$50.00

CALIFORNIA JAZZ FOUNDATION

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The Jazz Voyager

Jumping on a quick flight from LaGuardia to BWI to be in the audience at what has become a venerated jazz spot in Baltimore, Maryland, the Keystone Korner. Its founder, Todd Barkin, created the iconic location in San Francisco next to the North Beach police station, thus the origin of its name as a play on words on Mack Sennett’s slapstick “Keystone Kops” films. Moving east, he made a prudent decision to bring that same atmosphere to serve great music to the Baltimore, Washington and northern Virginia area.

The purpose for this travel itinerary is to see one of my favorite pianists and to be part of his 50th birthday celebration with 50 SHADES OF O. The Orrin Evans Trio with special guest vocalist Lisa Fischer will take us on an adventurous evening of music. Evans and his 2x Grammy-nominated Captain Black Big Band released and will be performing music from their new studio album, Walk A Mile In My Shoe!

Orrin Evans Tickets: $45.00 ~ $55.00 + fee | Streaming: 6:00pm Only ~ $15.00 + fee

Keystone Korner Baltimore address is 1350 Lancaster Street, 21231. For more information visit keystonekornerbaltimore.com.

CALIFORNIA JAZZ FOUNDATION

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CHARLES HEATH

Originating from Chicago, Illinois, Charles “Rick” Heath IV is a versatile and renowned musician from local to international levels. Playing anything from Jazz and Blues to Gospel and Latin music, his signature sound is prominent in the recording studios, concert settings, live Broadway theater platforms, and currently as the drummer for pianist and jazz legend Ramsey Lewis. Some of his proudest accolades include works with Donald Byrd, McCoy Tyner, and Slide Hampton. He also served as the resident drummer with the national tour of Oprah Winfrey and Quincy Jones’ theater production of “The Color Purple.” He is often rotating hats of composer, band leader, recording artist, musical director, producer and teacher and simply inspires and outreaches to his surrounding communities at all times.

Heath’s prominent sound can be heard on recordings with Ramsey Lewis, Robert “Babe” Irving III, Bobby Broom, Zvonimir Tot, Larry Gray, Sergio Perez, Ken Chaney and the Roger Harris Trio. He proudly launched his first independent recording project entitled “Conversations” encompassing the sound of his very own Charles Heath Quartet.

Cover Charge: $15.00

Showtimes:  6:00pm-7:15pm & 8:15-9:30pm

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TARIQ GARDNER & EVENING STAR

Evening Star is a group of long time peers and friends from the Detroit Music Community. The group merges the roots traditions of jazz with the modern sounds of neo-soul, hip-hop, and R&B. Group Leader Tariq Gardner channels rhythms from the vast African Diaspora including Gospel, Rhumba, Samba, Swing, and many many more to make the band’s textures go from smooth to rough to velvety. This group has played many venues within the state as well as out of state including Jazzin’ at the Vanity, Third Place Music Festival, Cliff Bells, Blue Llama Jazz Club, and Detroit Jazz Festival. The band has an afro-futuristic aesthetic with the mission that simply makes music the forefront of positive outlets with original compositions as well as arrangements on popular songs from the Black American Canon. Most Recently they have released their freshman album “GATEWAY DRUG” as well as performed at the international Detroit Jazz Festival 2023.

THE BAND:

Tariq Gardner – Drums

Caelin Amin – Bass

LeRoy Mickens – Piano and Keyboards

Jeffrey Trent – Saxophone

Coleman Ward – Vocals

Tickets: $40.00 Cocktail Table (Pre-Pay $20.00 Cover/$20.00 Bar or Menu) | $75.00 Diner & Show (Pre-Pay $20.00 Cover | $55.00 Dinner)

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